Power driven tree stand

ABSTRACT

A portable post puller consisting of a bi-pod base. A pulling handle coupled to the bi-pod base acts as a third leg. A chain link hook coupled to the pulling handle couples the handle, a pulling chain, and the pulling plates. Interchangeable pulling plates bind to various posts to achieve extraction. Chain link and pulling plates suitable for use with Bobcats.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a post puller and more particularly pertains to a tool designed to remove 4×4 wooden fence posts, steel fence posts, contractor stakes, foundation stakes, and sign posts.

2. Description of Prior Art

The use of post pullers of other designs is known in the prior art. More specifically, post pullers of other designs and configurations heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of removing posts through known methods and apparatuses are known to consist of familiar, and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

By way of example U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,437 discloses a post puller with a fulcrum point that is low to the ground requiring the operator to bend low to the ground thereby increasing the chance of back strain and injury. U.S. Pat. No. 6,527,250 discloses a post puller that utilizes a jacking mechanism increasing the time duration of the extraction process. While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a post puller that has a stationary high fulcrum point and extracts many types of posts with a single operation of the puller handle. In this respect, the Post Puller according to the present invention substantially departs from the designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides a portable apparatus primarily designed for the purpose of extraction of fence posts, sign posts, contractor stakes, foundation stakes, and guard rail posts. Therefore, it can be appreciated that their exists a continuing need for a new and improved post puller, which is portable, has a high fulcrum point to minimize operator bending, is easily operated, and can be quickly converted to extract various types of stakes, posts, and poles, using the post puller lever tool, or by the attachment of the post pulling plates to a tractor bucket, backhoe, Bobcat, front end loader or similar hydraulic machinery.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of post pullers of other designs and configurations now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved post puller. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved post puller and method which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a new and improved post puller system with a two legged base that consists of round stock steel with each leg having a steel flatstock foot welded there to prevent the legs from sinking into the ground during the extraction process. The two roundstock legs are welded at the top by a piece of steel flatstock. The legs are spread at the bottom and come together at the top describing the shape of a V. The point of the V is at the top and acts as the pivot point for the puller handle. The handle is attached to the legs via two pieces of steel flat stock welded to the round stock at the opposing end of the foot pads. A hole is provided in the flat stock and the handle, which has a corresponding hole, which thereby the handle is secured to the bi-pod assembly by means of a heavy duty bolt and nut. The handle end near the attachment bolt has a hole that serves as an attaching point for the chain hook which couples the chain to the various post puller plates.

A removable pin shackle or similar attaching device is used to couple a steel chain link hook to the hole in the pulling handle. A length of steel chain link is provided to couple the handle to the various pulling plate attachments. This chain is open at one end and has a chain link hook secured to the opposing end. The post pulling plate attachments consist of heavy duty steel stock plates that have circular or rectangular notches therein. They also have one or several small holes to which a pin shackle is attached. This shackle provides a coupling point to the puller handle via the chain link. The end of the chain opposed to the end with the chain link hook is passed through the shackle or shackles of the pulling plate. Depending on desired length a link is bound to the chain link hook on the pulling handle. Further adjustment is accomplished by removing all slack in the chain after the pulling plate has been placed in the desired position on the post. The loose end is then bound to a link in the chain with the chain link hook. The chain and pulling plates are also suited for use by many types of power machinery such as Bobcats and various other front end loaders, fork lifts, tractors, back hoes and winch operated equipment.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth n the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved post puller which has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved post puller which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved post puller which is of durable and reliable construction.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved post puller which is susceptible of a low cost manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, and state and federal agencies, thereby making such post puller economically available to the aforementioned consumers.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the new and improved post puller constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the post puller as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a pulling plate designed for pulling sign posts and steel fence posts.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional end view of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a pulling plate designed for pulling steel foundation stakes and/or 2 inch×2 inch, 2 inch×4 inch, 4 inch×4 inch, or other construction stakes.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a round fence or sign post pulling plate FIG. 7 is cross sectional end view of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a removable pin shackle.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a fence post pulling plate for 4 inch×4 inch posts.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional side view of FIG. 9

FIG. 11 is a side view of the post puller and its function.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved post puller embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention.

Such components in their broadest context include tubular support legs 11, which by virtue of their height provide a high fulcrum point thereby reducing operator bending and minimizing back strain. Steel foot pads 12 provides a stable base. Support leg cross brace 17 provides firm structural support.

Puller handle 13 is designed for maximum leverage to minimize back and muscle strain. Puller handle attachment supports 14 provides a structurally stable pivot point. Puller handle stop 15 prevents accidental compression of operators hand between handle and legs. Puller handle bolt 16 provides easily replaceable pivot shaft. Puller handle washer 18 prevents premature wear to components 13, and 14 The puller handle chain link hook attachment hole 19. Puller handle pin shackle 20 provides easy coupling and uncoupling to various sizes of chain link hooks. Post handle chain link hook 21 provides easy adjustment of binding chain. Chain link 22 couples handle and puller plate. Chain link adjuster hook 23 provides for final adjustment after coupling with puller plate.

Small post puller plate 24. Shackle attachment hole 25. Post binding orifice 26. Shackle 27. Large post puller plate 28. Shackle attachment holes 29 & 30. Post binding orifice 31. Sign post puller plate 32. Post rib catcher notch 33. Post binding orifice 34. Shackle attachment hole 35. Contractors plate 36. Post/stake binding orifice 37 & 38. Pin shackle holes 39 & 40.

Post puller method FIG. 11.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specifications are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

1. A new and improved post puller system comprising, in combination: a bipod base consisting of two tubular steel legs with attached steel foot plates providing stability and preventing undue sinking of legs during the post extraction process. The aforementioned steel legs are connected near the end opposing the foot plate by a steel support plate thereby achieving structural integrity. Steel flat stock is attached to the aforesaid legs above the support plate; a hole is drilled in each aforesaid steel stock to proved a attaching orifice for the puller handle; the puller handle is constructed of steel which is of a thickness and tensile strength to resist bending or warping under normal operating conditions; a bolt is used to attach the puller handle, and act as a pivot mechanism. Steel washers are placed between the handle and the steel stock to act as friction bushings; a small steel round stock is attached to the underside of the puller handle near the aforementioned pivot mechanism, and acts as a stop to prevent operator injury by handle compression; a hole is provided in the pulling end of the handle upon to which orifice is attached a shackle pin for the purpose of securing a chain link hook which is attached thereon; a length of steel chain link, open at one end and having a chain link hook affixed to the other end, is attached to the aforesaid hook at the open end, and acts as the coupling device between the puller handle and the puller plate; the aforesaid chain link is passed through a pin shackle on the puller plate and the slack is removed by attaching the chain link hook that is affixed thereon back upon the free falling chain.
 2. The system as set forth in claim 1 by virtue of its high by-pod base provides the operator with a tool that can be operated with minimal bending.
 3. The long handle and high fulcrum point provides the operator with increased leverage requiring less exertion of muscular force; the handle acts as a third leg allowing post puller to stand in a ready to operate position while the operator makes final adjustments to the puller plate and prepares to commence the extraction process; the handle can be rotated to a position that is parallel to the tubular legs, thereby requiring less storage space: the handle can be rotated to a position that is parallel to the tubular legs thereby providing for easy transportation.
 4. The various puller plates allow this device to be easily converted to pull a wide variety of fence posts, sign posts, guard rail posts, and contractor stakes; attaching a suitable plate to a post, raising the pulling handle to a upward position, attaching the chain to the pulling plate in a suitable manner as described in claim 1 and pushing down on the handle will extract or partially extract a post; repeating the above said process will extract deeply buried posts; the conversion process of changing puller plates takes minimal time and requires no tools; the pulling plates are designed to bind various posts, when upward exertion is applied, as to achieve minimal damage to the aforesaid posts; the aforesaid plates are made of steel of a thickness and tensile strength suitable to resist bending or distortion under normal operating conditions.
 5. The puller plates and chain may be used as a system separate of the manually operated post puller described in claim 1: the chain may be attached to the lifting appendage of various types of power machinery such as a Bobcat, back hoe, tractor, boom winch, or any other power machinery that performs lifting in its standard mode of operation. Attachment of the chain to the pulling plates produces the same results as manual operation of the puller. 